458 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP.

POLITICAL, DEVELOPMENT- THE WHITEWATER AND MIAMI VALLEY PIONEER ASSOCIATION PIONEER HISTORY - MIAMITOWN - ELIZABETHTOWN - CHURCHES

THAT part of the county west of the Great Miami river was surveyed and sold under the immediate auspices of the general government, differing in this respect from the territory immediately adjacent on the east. Considerable delay was also experienced in making the surveys; so that it. was not until the beginning of the present century that this region was opened to settlement. The principal stream that traverses it is the Whitewater river, which, rising in Indiana, discharges its waters into the Great Miami a short distance above its mouth. When, in 1803, the territory west of the Miami was organized as a township, this name was natur-

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ally and appropriately conferred upon it. Crosby township was formed in 1804 and Harrison in 1853, reducing Whitewater to its present area. Its boundaries are quite irregular. On the east the Great Miami separates it from Miami and Colerain: Crosby and Harrison adjoin on the north, the latter extending two miles further south than the former; and on the west is the State of Indiana. The extensive and fertile bottoms of the Whitewater and Miami constitute a large part of the area of the township, although there is also considerable hilly country.

SETTLEMENT.

The Whitewater and Miami Valley Pioneer Association was organized June 20, 1866, at the Presbyterian church in Elizabethtown. The first officers were Dr. J. H. F. Thurston, president; Peter Tebow and Bailey Guard, vice-presidents; J. P. Haire. secretary, and Edward Hunt, treasurer. In 1882 it was incorporated as the Miami and Whitewater Valley Pioneer and Harvest Home Association, the incorporators being B. W. Chidlaw, Joseph Cilley, James Kendrick, Warren West, S. V. Hayes, and M. B. Wamsley. The annual reunion is held on the first Saturday in August. Membership was originally restricted to persons who settled here prior to the, year 1825; for which date 1860 has been substituted by the revised constitution. The following is a list of presidents of the association: 1866--67, Dr. J. H. F. Thornton; 1868-71, Edward Hunt; 1872, John McMakin; 1873, Dr. E. D. Cruikshank; 1874, A. B. Line; 1875, William Jessup; 1876, Dr. J. C. McGuire; 1877, S. V. Hayes; 1878, G. W. Haire: 1879, Thomas E. Safer; 1880, Dr. M. H. Harding: 1881, George Bowlby; 1882, G. W. Lane; 1883, William Cone; 1884, Warren Tebbs; 1885, Joseph Sater; 1886, James Carlin; 1887. N. S. Divan; 1888, M. S. Bonnel; 1889, M. B. Wamsley; 1800, G. W. Lane; 1891, B. S. Harrel.

The social features of the association are interesting and valuable, but by far the most important service it hats rendered to the community is the collection and preservation of local history. At the time of its organization it embraced nearly all of the pioneers of the territory indicated by its title; systematic effort was made to secure personal reminiscences of settlement and life in the wilderness, early churches, schools, etc., and the information thus collected is preserved in the archives of the society, from which source the following list of settlers prior to the year 1797 has been obtained: Jeremiah Chandler, John Bonham, Charles Bartlow. John White, Joseph Brown. Hugh Dunn. Alexander Guard, Joseph Flays, Zera Rolf, Isaac Mills, Thomas Miller, John Phillips.

Chandler was frona North Carolina and a soldier of the Revolution. Bartlow and Bonham were from New Jersey. These persons found shelter and protection in the blockhouse at North Bend for several years, but became tired of this confinement, and determined to locate west of the Miami its soon as such a step should be warranted by the security of the frontier. Accordingly, in 1793, they jointly erected three cabins, one on the hill immediately west of the Suspension bridge, the others near Bond's mill, one north and the other south of it, and all near the Whitewater river. The choice of those improvements was decided by lot. Chandler secured the first choice and selected the cabin first erected, that near the Suspension bridge; lie is therefore accredited as having occupied the first cabin built in Whitewater township. Bonham secured second choice, and took the cabin north of Bond's mill, while "Hobson's choice" remained for Bartlow.

The pioneers mentioned were, of course, all squatters, as the land was Dot opened to purchase until April 1, 1801. The first purchaser was Ezekiel Hughes, a native of Wales, born in 1767. He came to America in 1795, accompanied by his cousin, Edward Bebb, father of Governor Bebb, of Ohio. After spending some time at Philadelphia and other points in the East, they crossed the Alleghany Mountains to Pittsburgh and thence descended the Ohio. Mr. Hughes has left a journal of his experience, from which the following extracts are made: "We reached Cin-

460 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

cinnati and applied to Judge Symmes, who is the register and chief proprietor of this purchase, for plates. We spent three weeks traversing the live lower ranges, and saw most of the land unsold. I bought, one hundred acres, northeast corner of Section 3-l. second fractional township and first range, for $2.25 an acre. My object in baying this was to wait until the land west of the Miami world be surveyed and ready for sale, and that I might examine the land and make a good selection," This location was in Colerain township near New Baltimore. In 1801 Mr. Hughes purchased Sections 15 and 16 in Whitewater, being the first purchaser ill that region. He at once initiated its improvement: this accomplished, in 1803 he returned to his native land and married Margaret Bebb, who accompanied him to share the trials of pioneer life in the Whitewater wilderness. She died in 1806 and was the first person interred in the Berea cemetery. Two years later lie married Mary Ewing. In 1804 he was appointed the first. justice of the peace for Whitewater township.

Alexander Guard, from whose family Guard's Island derives its name, came to North Bend in 1790 from Elizabeth, N. J. In 1793 he leased some land at "the Point," four or five miles below the blockhouse, from Judge Symmes, and having erected a cabin thereon, prepared to remove thither. His wife and children crossed the hills oil foot, while he. with the assistance of several other men, attempted to transport his household effects down the river in a pirogue. It. was in the spring of the year, and the Miami river was quite high; they hard ascended it only a short distance when the pirogue capsized and its unfortunate occupants narrowly escaped with their lives, The cargo was an utter loss, and the Guard family thus began life in the wilderness under circumstances of extraordinary difficulty and privation. In one instance Mrs. Guard's ingenuity is worthy of repetition At that early day cotton was cultivated or obtained front Kentucky and con stituted the principal material for clothing. But the means of the Guard family were sadly restricted, and it became necessary to have recourse to some other source of supply. She had observed that the wild nettle, which grew in great profusion on the river bottom, possessed a considerable amount of fibre; having induced her husband to collect a quantity of this, she made in one season more than two hundred yards of cloth and thus provided her family with a supply of clothing.

The first mill in the township was brought by Bonham from New Jersey. It was turned by hand, and during his stay at North Bend was used to supply the wants of the garrison at, that place. When lie removed to Whitewater, it was again brought into requisition and used by many of the first settlers. The first water-power mill was built by a Mr. White on the west side of Whitewater, two and one-halt miles below Harrison. White owned the land for several miles above and below his mill, which gave hits a local monopoly of the water privileges and therefore of the milling business. The second mill was that of Bond & Reese, two miles north of Elizabethtown near the suspension bridge. This mill had a very extensive patronage. People resorted thither from a distance of some miles in every direction, and sometimes remained a week waiting until their grain should be ground. Sometime in the '30's Thomas Payne and William Robert rebuilt it as a large frame structure, which was burned in 1891. There have also been several mills in the township on the Miami.

In this connection mention may also be appropriately made of Radcliffe's carding mill, on the Whitewater near Suspension Bridge, and of the flouring and carding mill attached to Bond & Reese's mill.

VILLAGES.

Miamitown was founded in 1816 by Arthur Henry. At the time of the survey and sale of lots the site was an apple orchard, and the only house thereon was a log structure near the present location of the Methodist church. Henry built the flourmill and brick house adjacent, in which he resided and kept a store. He also oper-

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ated the mill and a distillery. James Chambers kept a hotel at the large frame house now the residence of his son. Opposite this was another public house, and both enjoyed ample patronage. Formerly the pike passed between these two houses and ascended the hill at the west. A Mr. Dees and Charles Eatherton kept the second hotel mentioned, at an early date. A Mr. Graham was the first blacksmith. Jacob Herrider was a cooper and prosecuted this industry quite extensively. It was he who purchased the first lot that was sold after the survey of the town. Subsequently he bought the mill established by Henry and operated it for a term of years; he also built the present sawmill. Another prominent early resident, was James Ingersoll, who conducted a hotel at the large brick house a short distance above the village. This was the location of the ferry, of which Ingersoll was proprietor, and from which he derived a handsome revenue. The village early attained considerable local importance. The State Gazeteer of 1841 accredits it with 187 inhabitants, thirty-three dwellings, one flouring and saw mill, one distillery, two taverns, three stores, and several mechanics' shops. The macadamized turnpike to Cincinnati and the bridge across the Miami `with two arches of 160 feet span each' are noticed.'' At the present time the village contains one store, one blacksmith and wagon maker shop, respectively, Methodist and Christian churches, a township hall, two hotels, a steam sawmill, and a water-power saw and flour mill.

Elizabethtown is pleasantly located on a level plat of ground elevated sufficiently above the Whitewater bottoms to insure absolute immunity from floods and afford a fine prospect on the east, south and west. At this point the road from Cincinnati to Manchester, Greensburg, and Indianapolis intersects the road from Brookville to Lawrenceburg, and this circumstance doubtless determined the action of the founder, Isaac Mills, in selecting it as a townsite. The plat was surveyed in 1817. The name was conferred in honor of the proprietor's wife, The first merchants were Charles and Isaac Mills. Peter Tebow and Lewis Dunn were early hotel keepers, in the days when the volume of travel through the place from Indiana to Cincinnati seems almost incredible in comparison with its present proportions. William Williams,. Joshua ibson, and David Byers were the first blacksmiths. Edward Hunt was a prominent early merchant.

The following with regard to this place appears in a volume of reminiscences by a prominent attorney of Dearborn county, Indiana: "Elizabethtown, so named in honor of Mrs. Elizabeth Mills, wife of Isaac Mills and sister to Judge Dunn, one of the most excellent women that ever lived. Her kind, good husband died suddenly while attending quarterly meeting at Manchester, and was returned to a most fond wife and family `still and cold in death.' She survived him several years, and then `fell asleep in Jesus.' Her son, Gen. Charles Mills, died in rather a singular manner, universally beloved and lamented. A Mr. Hays fell from his wagon many years ago-broke his leg-the bone actually pinning him to the earth; refusing amputation, died with a fearful convulsion, while I held his hand in mine. A youngster, sitting upon the ground and throwing his knife each side of his leg in play, accidentally severed the femoral artery in his thigh and bled to death. Poor boy! Another excellent young man was picking the flint of his gun, when it accidentally went off and killed his kind little friend, which almost grieved him to death. A Mr. Dickinson also moved away and hung himself, much to the grief of his dear children, whom I know and love. Here Mrs. Abraham was consumed by fire in her wagon, as before noticed." "In 1826 I taught school here, through the kind influence of my friend, Dr. Brower, whose kindness I can never forget nor sufficiently acknowledge. Lawyer Abraham Brower was then one of my best pupils."

At the present time Elizabethtown has three stores and two churches (Methodist and Presbyterian). A grain elevator is located here. The town is a station on the Chicago line of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railroad.

462 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

The early religious history of the township and of Berea church is thus given by the late Rev. B. W. Chidlaw: " In 1798 Rev. Mr. Dewees, a Baptist preacher, a voluntary missionary from Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, visited the squatter settlement on the Whitewater. He was very cordially received, and his labors of love welcomed by the settlers, who hungered for the bread of life. The first service was held in the cabin of John Bonham, and the families, men, women, and children, gladly attended meeting and with joy heard the gospel message of this devoted herald of the cross. In 1799 Rev, M. Lower, alt itinerant, and earnest missionary of the Methodist. church, first visited the settlement, a welcome servant of God and faithful in his mission. In 1804 Rev. J. W. Browne, an Englishman and a Congregationalist, (the founder of the Liberty Hall, now the Commercial Gazette, of Cincinnati), preached in the hewed to house of Ezekiel Hughes and continued his labors in the gospel until 1812. From 1813 to 1819 Rev. Joshua L. Wilson, D.D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Cincinnati, Rev. James Dickey, a missionary of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Mr. Bond, a Baptist, labored in this vicinity.

" In 1819 a number of citizens `of sundry religious denominations' petitioned the legislature of Ohio to incorporate the Union Berea Society, and in 1825 an amended act was passed. In 1822 the following subscription paper was circulated: 'Whereas, it is thought desirable that a house of worship be erected in this neighborhood, and for a school on the site given by Ezekiel Hughes for a burying ground. The house is to be a frame, 45 x 35 feet, if the liberality of the subscribers will warrant; if not, it will have to be smaller. The denominations to preach there are Congregationalists. Regular Baptists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, and United Brethren.' Then follow the names of twenty-seven citizens, subscribing $300, one-third in cash and the remainder in material or labor. Gen. W. H. Harrison, of North Bend, three mles from the chapel, gives fifteen hundred feet of lumber; Mr. Williston gives five gallons of whiskey (three of which were used the day of the raising), then worth twenty cents a gallon. The frame, including joists and rafters, is of hewn timber, and was raised December 14, 1822. All the males in the neighborhood turned out, with pick-poles and handspikes, bringing their dinners with them. Mr. Williston's whiskey and pure water from a spring near by furnished the liquid part of the entertainment. Uz. Noble paid his subscription of $25 in boarding carpenters at $1 a week; Ezekiel Hughes paid in cash $100; Benjamin Cilley, cash $25; John Ewing, $25 in labor and material; Allen Lieper, cow and calf, $9, cash $6, labor, $10; David Noble, $25 in work, scoring and hewing; logs, and hauling. The papers show that every subscriber paid in full and according to contract."

The $300 left the house inclosed and floored. Its completion was due to the liberality of the ladies of the community, eighty-eight of whom contributed $38.37. For many years this old chapel was the only place of worship in the neighborhood. A union Sunday-school was organized in 1824. Among the superintendents were Richard Hughes, I. N. Butler, John Ewing, and Edward Hunt, under whose administration the religious interests of the community were greatly advanced.

The Methodist Church, of Elizabethtown, was organized in 1803 at the house of Alexander Guard, and in the following years the cause of Methodism was greatly promoted by camp-meetings at Scroggins' grove, near the village. Prominent among the early members were Isaac Mills, Thomas Miller, Thomas Williams, Walter Hayes, William Williams, Samuel McHenry, Bailey Guard, and Ezra Guard. In 1868 the new church was demolished by a tornado, several years after its erection. It was rebuilt, and is a substantial brick structure.

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The Presbyterian Church of Elizabethtown and Berea was organized June 13, 1830, at Berea, by Rev. S. Scovel, who had previously been preaching here occasionally. The first members were Mrs. Charlotte Hunt, Mrs. Mary Elder, Joseph Martin, Mrs. Nancy Martin, John Ewing, Mrs. Sarah Ewing, from the church at Harrison; and Sirs. Nancy Leiper, Samuel Leiper, Mrs. Margaret Morrow, Mrs. Eliza Baron, Mrs. Hannah Elder, Mrs. Deborah Coverdale, and Mrs. Margaret Moore, on profession of faith. July 11, 1830, the first trustees were elected, viz., Ezekiel Hughes. John Ewing, Thomas Hunt.. John S. Torrence, and William Leiper; the first elders, John Ewing, Thomas Hunt, and Richard Hughes, were elected April 17, 1831. The church has had the following pastors: Revs. S. Scovel, 1830-32; A. McFarland, 1833; C. Sturdevant, 1835; T. E. Thomas, 1837; E. Scofield, 1840-41 ; B. W. Chidlaw, 1841; H. Bushnell. 1842; D. Rice, Joseph Edwards, 1844; S. Warren, 1846-47; H. W. Cobb, 1848-50; I. Delamater, 1850-52; C. O. Jamison, 1856-59; C. E. Babb, 1858; J. Boal, 1859; J. P. Hair, 1859-60; H. Bushnell, 1862; J. Stewart, 1861-70; H. M. Walker, 1871-72; R. E. Hawley, 1874; James Mitchell, 1881-84. The present brick church edifice was erected in 1844. The site was donated by Thomas Hunt.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Miamitown, was built in 1834. The con. tractor for its erection was Jacob Herrider, who was also one of the most active members. The site was donated by Edward Mansfield. The United Brethren also worshiped in this building.

The Christian Church, of Miamitown, was organized by Rev. Knowles Shaw. The place of worship is a brick building erected in 1851.

Mt. Hope Methodist Episcopal Church is located near the Miami river, two miles north of Miamitown. The Toph family was mainly instrumental in founding this society. The site of the church was donated by Richard Simmons.

SCHOOLS.

The first schoolhouse in Whitewater township was built of buckeye logs and stood a half-mile northwest of Elizabethtown. Dennis Clark taught here in 1800. The second teacher was William Jones. The second schoolhouse stood an eighth of a mile east of Elizabethtown. and was built by James Blackburn. A Mr. Polk taught there in 1807-09. John F. Lancaster taught at a schoolhouse where C. W. Haire now resides. The brick schoolhouse half a mile west of suspension bridge was built in 1827. The first schoolhouse in Elizabethtown was built in 1826.